Another Car App? Yep

Directed Electronics, a company that produces vehicle security and remote start systems, has introduced the Viper SmartStart, which allows users to start their car with the push of a button from their iPhone or iPod touch.

Particularly popular in areas like the Midwest where cold weather, remote start have become one of those must-have convenience features when shopping for a new car. The Viper SmartStart system is aimed at those who seek that same luxury with an older model or the owner of a later model vehicle who at the time just wasn’t convinced that weathering those frigid temperatures wasn’t worth dishing out the extra cash for the option.

Most remote start systems use a small remote control on the user’s keychain to activate remote start, but these “keyfobs” typically have limited range. Viper SmartStart has virtually unlimited range. If the iPhone and the vehicle have signal, then Viper SmartStart starts the car with the press of a button.

Viper SmartStart has many other capabilities beyond remote start as well. Depending on the installation, users can also lock and unlock the doors, pop the trunk, find their car in a parking lot, or arm their security system. Users can even control multiple cars from one iPhone.

To use, car owners just need to download the free Viper SmartStart app from the Apple App Store, have Viper SmartStart professionally installed on their vehicle, and then activate their account to start experiencing the year-round comfort and convenience of Viper SmartStart.

Only catch is that you’ll have to shell out $499 to have the Viper’s SmartStart system installed in your car to use the application, plus $29.99 a year for an active subscription to Viper’s SmartStart service. Customers who get a new installation will get the first year of service for free. The set up only cost $299 for those who already have a compatible Viper alarm system. For more information about the Viper SmartStart Service, visit www.viper.com/smartstart.